Chronic Otitis Media?
Chronic otitis media refers to diseases of the middle ear that persist for more than three months. Most cases of chronic otitis media include a perforated eardrum, except for chronic serous otitis or congenital cholesteatoma.
The frequency of chronic otitis is decreasing nowadays because the treatment of acute otitis and conditions causing Eustachian tube dysfunction has improved.
A perforated eardrum can lead to hearing loss. If water enters the ear, the middle ear can become infected, leading to discharge. Recurrent discharge over the years can further deteriorate hearing.
If the skin cells of the outer surface of the eardrum, enter through the perforation, it can lead to a progressive disease called cholesteatoma. The epithelial spread and the pressure of the overgrowth in the middle ear can cause erosion of the surrounding vital structures. Frequent infections further worsen this destructive and dangerous type of chronic otitis.
The treatment for all types of chronic otitis is surgical. The primary goals are to completely remove any cholesteatoma and close the perforation in the eardrum. Additionally, if there is restricted movement or disconnection in the ossicles, efforts are made to correct this to improve hearing.
To prevent recurrence, any existing Eustachian tube dysfunction must also be corrected.
A perforated eardrum and the advancement of the outer ear canal skin from the upper side into the middle ear(cholesteatoma) are observed.
In this case, the extent of the disease and the structures at risk should be evaluated with a high-resolution temporal CT scan. A hearing test should be performed, and tympanoplasty surgery should be planned without delay.